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Abstract

Background Soluble serum transferrin receptor sTfR is an index of erythropoietic activity and it is a useful test to diagnose iron deficiency anaemia. In this study, the levels of sTfR and other iron-related parameters and the association with each other were evaluated. Materials and Methods One hundred and eighty-four subjects comprising five groups were recruited into this study, that is, 35 19.0 of control group, 32 17.4 of first, 35 19.0 of second, 41 22.3 of third and 41 22.3 of fourth time blood donors, within the age range of 18-49 years. Iron-related parameters namely haemoglobin concentration Hb, transferrin saturation TS, serum iron SI and total iron binding capacity TIBC were determined using the photometric method, while serum ferritin level SF and serum transferrin receptor level STfR were determined using enzyme immunosorbent assay ELISA. Results STfR correlated negatively with haemoglobin concentration p0.05, transferrin saturation, serum iron and serum ferritin levels p0.01, while sTfR correlated positively with TIBC in 184 male blood donors p0.01. Based on the frequency of blood donation, STfR correlated negatively with Hb fourth time donors, with SI third and fourth p0.01 time donors, with TS fourth and third time donors, with SF third p0.05 and fourth p0.05 time donors and positively with TIBC. Conclusion These results suggested that the level of sTfR may be a useful indicator of iron deficiency in blood donors and should be considered with another test as a criterion especially in donors donating three and four times within a year.